Trek Ancascocha Machu Picchu 5D / 4N USD 500
Dear nature lovers, we have recuperated one of the Inca Trail´s little explored routes, in the magnificent and wonderful mountains that can be seen, in the course of the Classical Inca Trail, with views towards unique landscapes and, from which we´ll be able to contemplate the Sacred Mountain, or Apu, called ‘Wuaccaywilke’ (Sacred Weeping), better known as ‘La Verónica’.
In pre-Hispanic times, that trail used to interconnect villages, in the mountains, like Machu Picchu, by means of Incan trails which, in turn, were connected to the Qhapaq Ñan that was the Main Incan Trail that ran across the Andes, from Cusco to Quito, in Ecuador.
Recently, that part of the Path to Ancascocha has been recognized, by the National Geographic, as one of the 20 best and most famous trails in the world, given that it also connects with a subtropical valley in which birds can be observed, as well as varieties of orchids and flowers that are typical of that area.
OVERVIEW
DAY 1: CUSCO – PALPICHU – CHILLIPAHUA
ACTIVITIES: hike, and camping in Chillipahua.
DAY 2: CHILLIPAHUA – ANCASCOCHA
ACTIVITIES: Hike, Chuchuccasa Mountain Pass, and camping in Ancascocha.
DAY 3: ANCASCOCHA – CAMICANCHA
ACTIVITIES: Hike, valley with subtropical forest, and camping in Camicancha.
DAY 4: CAMICANCHA – OLLANTAYTAMBO
ACTIVITIES: Hike, Silke Valley, and Sacred River, to Ollantaytambo.
DAY 5: OLLANTAYTAMBO – KM 104 – INCA TRAIL – MACHU PICCHU
ACTIVITIES: Train trip, from Ollantaytambo to Km. 104, hike to the Sun God´s Gate, and down to Machupicchu Pueblo.
DAY 6: MACHUPICCHU PUEBLO – MACHU PICCHU – OLLANTAYTAMBO – CUSCO
ACTIVITIES: Guided visit of Machu Picchu, and train trip to Ollantaytambo.
ITINERARY
DAY 1: CUSCO – PALPICHU – CHILLIPAHUA
Very early, in the morning, we´ll pick you up, at your respective hotels, aboard our transportation vehicle, to travel, for about an hour, and get to Pallpicho (3,260 m.a.s.l. – 10,695 ft.). There, we´ll have breakfast, with the support staff, muleteers and cook who will be waiting for us, to load the camping equipment and personal belongings we´ll be using at the campgrounds, and during the trek, upon burden animals.
Afterwards, we´ll set-off on our trek, the first part of which is a gradual uphill incline, to get to Wata (3,860 m.a.s.l. – 12,664 ft.); a pre-Incan architectural complex. After a short stopover, we´ll hike downhill and, after lunch, we´ll walk, up and down, to our campground, in Chillipahua, at an altitude of 3,560 m.a.s.l. (11,679 ft.).
DAY 2: CHILLIPAHUA – ANCASCOCHA
After a pleasant breakfast, we´ll hike, uphill, to the Chuchuccasa Mountain Pass, at 4,560 m.a.s.l. (14,960 ft.) and, after a short stopover, we´ll walk, downhill, for about an hour, to our lunch spot. Afterwards, we´ll hike on an up-and-down trail, all the way to our campsite, in Ancascocha (4,000 m.a.s.l. – 13,123 ft.).
DAY 3: ANCASCOCHA – CAMICANCHA
After breakfast, we´ll start walking towards a quite beautiful valley, where we´ll cross a subtropical forest, with orchids and bromeliads. In the afternoon, we´ll get to our campground, in Camicancha, where we´ll have dinner, and will spend the night, in front of snowcapped Mount La Verónica.
DAY 4: CAMICANCHA – OLLANTAYTAMBO
After breakfast, we´ll start hiking, along the Silke Valley, on the Sacred River´s bank, to Ollantaytambo, where we´ll have dinner, and will spend the night, at a hostel, with private bathroom and hot shower.
DAY 5: OLLANTAYTAMBO – KM 104 – INCA TRAIL – MACHU PICCHU
In the morning, we´ll take the train, from Ollantaytambo to Km. 104, where we´ll get on the Inca Trail that connects the Sun´s Gate to Machu Picchu, while we go by Incan architectural complexes like Chachabamba and Wiñay Wayna.
In addition, we´ll have the opportuity to contemplate wonderful landscapes, similar to a live green carpet, throughout the whole year, given that this area is located in the High Jungle; reason for which we´ll have chances to observe orchids and some birds, like the famous hummingbird, among others.
Finally, we´ll get to take our first pictures of Machu Picchu, from the Sun´s Gate and, after that, we´ll walk down to Machu Picchu´s Entrance Checkpoint, to go down to Machupicchu Pueblo (ex Aguas Calientes), to have dinner, and spend the night at a hostel, with private bathroom and hot shower.
DAY 6: MACHUPICCHU PUEBLO – MACHU PICCHU – OLLANTAYTAMBO – CUSCO
After breakfast, at the hostel, we´ll go up, by bus, to do the guided visit of the Peruvian Wonder of the Modern World, getting to know the Incan City´s most important architectural compounds. After that memorable visit, if you have booked other activities, such as going up Mount Wayna Picchu, or Machu Picchu Mountain, you´ll go up, and will explore them, in accordance with the schedule set by the Ministry of Culture.
To book one (or both) of those activities, contact us. That way, we´ll be able to confirm space availability, for any one of them.
Once Machu Picchu´s visit over, we´ll catch a bus, down to Machupicchu Pueblo and, after lunch, we´ll take the train, to return to Ollantaytambo, where our staff will transfer you back to your hotel, in Cusco.
INCLUDED - NOT INCLUDED
Included:
- 1-way tourism transportation vehicle.
- Professional tour guide.
- Support staff and burden animals.
- Camping gear, and kitchen equipment.
- 3 nights at campsites.
- 2 nights at hostels, with private bathroom and hot shower.
- 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 5 dinners.
- Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu.
- Return train, from Machupicchu Pueblo to Ollantaytambo.
- Transfer, from Ollantaytambo, back to Cusco.
Not included:
- Lunch in Machupicchu Pueblo, on the sixth day.
- Entrance ticket to Machupicchu Pueblo´s Thermal Baths.
- Tips and personal expenses.
RECOMMENDATIONS
What to bring:
- Medium-size backpack.
- Canteen, to carry water.
- Snacks.
- 1 full change of clothes per hiking day.
- Personal hygiene kit and towel.
- Mountain hiking shoes.
- Wide-brim hat, sunglasses and sunblock lotion.
- Rain gear.
- Insect repellent.
- Hiking sticks, with rubber tips.
- Photo/video camera, with extra batteries.
- Light binoculars.
- Flashlight, with extra batteries.
- Extra cash, in Nuevos Soles (PEN).